River stage
Austin, Colorado River
- River level
- 12.70 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.75 ft
- Recent high
- 27.41 ft
- Recent low
- 11.69 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ACRT2
- 30-day change
- -3.33 ft
- Average
- 15.12 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 51.00 ft
In brief
The Colorado River at Austin, TX read 12.70 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 12.30 ft below action stage. That is 3.33 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge ACRT2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51.00 ft | 1869-07-07 |
| 2 | 50.00 ft | 1935-06-15 |
| 3 | 45.20 ft | 1938-07-25 |
| 4 | 43.50 ft | 1900-04-07 |
| 5 | 43.20 ft | 1936-09-28 |
| 6 | 42.60 ft | 1913-12-04 |
| 7 | 42.40 ft | 1929-05-29 |
| 8 | 39.00 ft | 1922-05-01 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 25.00 ft
Flow exceeds the lowest sections of the banks.
- 27.00 ft
Flow is in the lowest sections of the flood plain.
- 29.00 ft
Flow is into the lowest sections of the flood plain.
- 31.00 ft
Flow is well into the flood plain below Lake Travis downstream. Livestock should be moved from low areas of the flood plain downstream below Austin.
- 33.00 ft
Minor lowland flooding reaches low areas of the flood plain. No significant damage occurs at this level near Austin but livestock should be moved from low lying areas downstream. Lowest homes below Austin to Bastrop are threatened.
- 35.00 ft
Lowest homes and apartments near the Colorado River and the lower part of Onion Creek are threatened. Residents should monitor NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio for developing flood warnings. Livestock can be cut off in low areas below Austin. Lowest homes below Austin to Bastrop flood.
- 36.00 ft
Several homes are threatened as the Colorado River backs up Onion Creek. Any additional flooding down onion creek may flood homes near the confluence with the Colorado River. Livestock should be moved from vulnerable areas of the flood plain below Austin. Lowest homes below Austin flood.
- 38.00 ft
Moderate flooding approaches the Colorado River ranchettes in the southwest quadrant of the confluence of the Colorado River and Dry Creek. Lowest homes downstream below Austin flood. Livestock should be moved from vulnerable areas of the flood plain.
- 40.00 ft
Lowest homes in the flood plain below Longhorn Dam to above Bastrop Flood. Livestock and equipment should be moved from low areas of the flood plain below Lake Travis to below Bastrop. Roads and low bridges in the flood plain flood severely and are dangerous to motorists.
- 42.00 ft
Major flooding approaches the lowest residences along the Colorado River below Del Valle. Residences in the lower reach of Onion Creek are vulnerable to flooding as the Colorado River backs up the creek and adds to runoff down Onion Creek. Livestock and equipment should be moved from the flood plain below Austin to Bastrop. Lowest homes flood near Webberville.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Colorado River flooding at Austin?
No. The Colorado River at Austin is at 12.7 ft, 12.3 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Austin?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 25 ft, minor flooding 33 ft, moderate flooding 38 ft and major flooding 42 ft.
What is the highest the Colorado River has been at Austin?
The highest crest on record is 51.0 ft, on 1869-07-07.
Is the Colorado River high or low right now at Austin?
At 12.7 ft it is higher than 7% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ACRT2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 08158000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.